Patent US3638197A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3638197A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Electronic printing input-output station
Assignee: Texas Instruments Inc
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Filing: 1968-12-31
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Granted: 1972-01-25
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Expires: 1988-12-31
Abstract
Abstract An input-output station for a remote time-shared computer is described which has a high-speed electronic printer output and a keyboard encoder input. The output from the keyboard is temporarily stored in a one character buffer which serves as the input to the electronic printer and to an accumulator register comprised of parallel MOS shift registers where an entire line of characters are stored as they are printed. Only after the accumulator is full does the station respond to a poll character from the central processing unit to send the data through a parallel-to-serial converter and over the data link to the computer. The input to the computer is at the maximum rate at which the data can be transmitted, thus occupying the computer for only a fraction of the time otherwise required for the operator to enter the data direct from the keyboard. Data sent from the computer is routed through the converter to the buffer and is printed out by the high speed electronic printer at the maximum rate. This system provides for most efficient use of the computer by the input-output stations.
Inventors
- 👤 James Brennan Jr
- 👤 Hermon L Pope Jr
- 👤 Donald F Boren
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 16:38
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/09; B; B41; B41J; B41J19/00; B41J19/18; B41J19/20; B41J2/00; B41J2/315; B41J2/32; B41J2/335; B41J2/34
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 39
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
In an input-output station, the combination of: converter means for converting incoming serial-by-bit characters to parallel-by-bit characters and for converting parallel-bybit characters to outgoing serial-by-bit characters, encoding means for sequentially encoding parallel-by-bit characters, first-in, first-out accumulator means for storing a predetermined number of the encoded parallel-by-bit characters, means responsive to receipt of an address character in the converter means after a predetermined number of characters are stored in the accumulator means for transmitting the parallelby-bit characters from the accumulator means through the converter means, and electronic printing means for printing out the parallel-by-bit characters incoming through the converter means and the sequentially encoded parallel-by-bit characters as encoded.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
107 words
In an input-output station, the combination of: converter means for converting incoming serial-by-bit characters to parallel-by-bit characters and for converting parallel-bybit characters to outgoing serial-by-bit characters, encoding means for sequentially encoding parallel-by-bit characters, first-in, first-out accumulator means for storing a predetermined number of the encoded parallel-by-bit characters, means responsive to receipt of an address character in the converter means after a predetermined number of characters are stored in the accumulator means for transmitting the parallelby-bit characters from the accumulator means through the converter means, and electronic printing means for printing out the parallel-by-bit characters incoming through the converter means and the sequentially encoded parallel-by-bit characters as encoded.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
76 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein the electronic printing means includes: means for supporting a sheet of recording medium, an electronic printhead for printing upon a sheet of recording medium on the support means, means for moving the printhead into alignment with each of a plurality of printing positions across the sheet of recording medium, and means causing the printhead and the sheet of recording medium to be in contact at each of the printing positions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
a matrix of semiconductor elements arrayed in spaced relationship to form a matrix and bonded onto the support chip,
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
a matrix of semiconductor elements arrayed in spaced relationship to form a matrix and bonded onto the support chip,
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
circuit means diffused into each of the semiconductor elements including a heating element and switch means for controlling current flow through the resistive heating element,
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
circuit means diffused into each of the semiconductor elements including a heating element and switch means for controlling current flow through the resistive heating element,
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
The combination defined in claim 2 wherein: the electronic printhead is mounted on a carriage, the carriage is mounted on means for guiding the printhead past the printing positions, and the carriage is stepped to the printing position by a cable system driven by a stepping motor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
The combination defined in claim 3 wherein the means for supporting the sheet of recording medium is further characterized by: means for stepping the sheet of recording medium past the print positions whereby successive lines can be printed on the sheet.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
9 words
means for supplying power to the circuit means, and
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
9 words
means for supplying power to the circuit means, and
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
73 words
logic means for selectively controlling each of the switch means in response to electrical data signals to graphically reproduce the character represented by the data signals by means of the matrix; means for moving the printhead into alignment with each of a plurality of printing positions across the sheet of recording medium; and means causing the printhead and the sheet of recording medium to be in contact at each of the printing positions.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
73 words
logic means for selectively controlling each of the switch means in response to electrical data signals to graphically reproduce the character represented by the data signals by means of the matrix; means for moving the printhead into alignment with each of a plurality of printing positions across the sheet of recording medium; and means causing the printhead and the sheet of recording medium to be in contact at each of the printing positions.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
85 words
The combination defined in claim 1 wherein the electronic printing means includes a printhead comprising: a support chip, a matrix of semiconductor elements arrayed in spaced relationship to form a matrix and bonded onto the support chip, circuit means diffused into each of the semiconductor elements including a resistive heating element and switch means for controlling current flow through the resistive heating element, and means for supplying current to the circuit means and for selectively controlling each of the switch means to control the current.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
62 words
The combination defined in claim 5 wherein: the switch means comprises a transistor, and further characterized by: an integrated circuit mounted on the support chip adjacent the matrix of semiconductor elements, the integrated circuit comprising a buffer stage for each semiconductor element the output of which is coupled to drive the base of the transistor switch means of the respective semiconductor element.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein the converter means comprise: a shift register having serial input and output modes and also parallel input and output modes.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
39 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein the first-in, first-out accumulator comprises: a shift register for each parallel bit of the character, each shift register having at least as many bit positions as the number of characters to be accumulated.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
49 words
The combination of claim 8 further characterized by: logic means for detecting an end of address code character in the first-out storage position of the accumulator means, and logic means for then gating out the characters in the accumulator in response to signals from a remote master receiving station.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
51 words
The combination of claim 9 further characterized by: logic means for detecting an end of line code character in the first-in storage position of the accumulator means, and logic means for shifting the characters through the accumulator means until an end of address code character is detected in the first-out position.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
107 words
The input-output station defined in claim 1 wherein the electronic printing means includes: a printhead comprising a matrix of semiconductor elements each including diffused resistive heating means and switching means for selectively controlling current through the resistive heating means, character-generating means for controlling the switching means in a manner to graphically produce a character represented by electrical logic signals applied to the character-generating means, temperature-sensing means for sensing the temperature of the matrix, and means responsive to the temperature-sensing means for applying power to the resistive heating means of the matrix at a level such as to produce a predetermined printing density regardless of the printing rate.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
121 words
In a slaved input-output station for a time-sharing computer, the combination of: converter means for converting incoming serial-by-bit characters to parallel-by-bit characters and for converting parallel-by-bit characters to outgoing serial-by-bit characters, encoding means for sequentially encoding parallel-by-bit characters, a buffer register for receiving parallel characters output from the converter means and from the encoding means, first-in, first-out accumulator means for storing a predetermined number of the encoded parallel-by-bit characters, means responsive to receipt of an address character in the converter means after a predetermined number of characters are stored in the accumulator means for transmitting the parallel-by-bit characters from the accumulator means through the converter means, and electronic printing means for printing out the parallel-by-bit character stored in the buffer register.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
121 words
In a slaved input-output station for a time-sharing computer, the combination of: converter means for converting incoming serial-by-bit characters to parallel-by-bit characters and for converting parallel-by-bit characters to outgoing serial-by-bit characters, encoding means for sequentially encoding parallel-by-bit characters, a buffer register for receiving parallel characters output from the converter means and from the encoding means, first-in, first-out accumulator means for storing a predetermined number of the encoded parallel-by-bit characters, means responsive to receipt of an address character in the converter means after a predetermined number of characters are stored in the accumulator means for transmitting the parallel-by-bit characters from the accumulator means through the converter means, and electronic printing means for printing out the parallel-by-bit character stored in the buffer register.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
138 words
The combination defined in claim 12 further characterized by: command decode logic means connected to receive character data from the parallel output of the converter means and from the output encoding means, and for producing separate logic signals when a station poll character is received, an encoder means address code character is received, a printing means address code character is received, an end of address code character is received, first control logic means for transmitting characters in the accumulator means after logic signals representing a station poll character and encoder means code character have been received, and the accumulator means is filled with the data to be transmitted, and second control logic means for receiving and printing characters after a station poll character and a printer means control character have been received, and the printer means is ready.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
76 words
The combination of claim 13 wherein the electronic printing means includes: means for supporting a sheet of recording medium, an electronic printhead for printing upon a sheet of recording medium on the support means, means for moving the printhead into alignment with each of a plurality of printing positions across the sheet of recording medium, and means causing the printhead and the sheet of recording medium to be in contact at each of the printing positions.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
47 words
The combination defined in claim 14 wherein: the electronic printhead is mounted on a carriage, the carriage is mounted on means for guiding the printhead past the printing positions, and the carriage is stepped to the printing position by a cable system driven by a stepping motor.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
41 words
The combination defined in claim 15 wherein the means for supporting the sheet of recording medium is further characterized by: means for stepping the sheet of recording medium past the print positions whereby successive lines can be printed on the sheet.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
85 words
The combination defined in claim 16 wherein the electronic printing means includes a printhead comprising: a support chip, a matrix of semiconductor elements arrayed in spaced relationship to form a matrix and bonded onto the support chip, circuit means diffused into each of the semiconductor elements including a resistive heating element and switch means for controlling current flow through the resistive heating element, and means for supplying current to the circuit means and for selectively controlling each of the switch means to control the current.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
62 words
The combination defined in claim 17 wherein: the switch means comprises a transistor, and further characterized by: an integrated circuit mounted on the support chip adjacent the matrix of semiconductor elements, the integrated circuit comprising a buffer stage for each semiconductor element the output of which is coupled to drive the base of the transistor switch means of the respective semiconductor element.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination of claim 18 wherein the converter means comprises: a shift register having serial input and output modes and also parallel input and output modes.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
39 words
The combination of claim 19 wherein the first-in, first-out accumulator comprises: a shift register for each parallel bit of the character, each shift register having at least as many bit positions as the number of characters to be accumulated.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
49 words
The combination of claim 20 further characterized by: logic means for detecting an end of address code character in the first-out storage position of the accumulator means, and logic means for then gating out the characters in the accumulator in response to signals from a remote master receiving station.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
51 words
The combination of claim 21 further characterized by: logic means for detecting an end of line code character in the first-in storage position of the accumulator means, and logic means for shifting the characters through the accumulator means until an end of address code character is detected in the first-out position.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
44 words
In an electronic device for printing on a sheet of recording medium, the combination of: means for supporting the sheet of recording medium, an electronic printhead for printing upon the sheet of recording medium on the support means, said electronic printhead being comprised of:
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
44 words
In an electronic device for printing on a sheet of recording medium, the combination of: means for supporting the sheet of recording medium, an electronic printhead for printing upon the sheet of recording medium on the support means, said electronic printhead being comprised of:
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
63 words
The combination defined in claim 23 wherein the switch means comprises: a transistor in each element, and an integrated circuit chip mounted on the support chip adjacent the matrix of semiconductor elements, the integrated circuit comprising a buffer stage for each semiconductor element the output of which is coupled to drive the base of the transistor switch means of the respective semiconductor element.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
59 words
The combination defined in claim 23 wherein the logic means for selectively controlling the switch means comprises: a monolithic integrated circuit of MOS transistors for decoding parallel logic bits representative of the character to be generated and producing logic levels on lines controlling the bases of the buffer transistors to graphically produce the character by means of the matrix.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
51 words
The combination defined in claim 23 wherein the means for supplying power to the circuit means includes: means for sensing the temperature of the matrix, and means for adjusting the power applied to the matrix in response to the sensed temperature to produce a uniform print density under varying printing rates.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
195 words
In an electronic printer, the combination of: a support chip, a matrix of semiconductor elements arrayed in spaced relationship to form a matrix and bonded to the support chip in thermally separated relationship, circuit means diffused into each of the semiconductor elements including a resistive heating element and switch means for controlling current flow through the resistive heating element, an integrated circuit chip mounted on the support chip adjacent the matrix of semiconductor elements, the integrated circuit comprising a buffer stage for each semiconductor element the output of which is coupled to drive the base of the transistor switch means of the respective semiconductor elements, character generation means comprised of MOS transistors for decoding parallel binary character data and driving the buffer stages in a combination to graphically produce the character by heated elements of the matrix, at least a plurality of the MOS transistors being formed on a monolithic semiconductor chip, and supply voltage means for supplying power to the buffer stages and circuit means including means for sensing the temperature of the matrix and adjusting the supply voltage to a level such as to heat the selected mesas to a preselected temperature range.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
195 words
In an electronic printer, the combination of: a support chip, a matrix of semiconductor elements arrayed in spaced relationship to form a matrix and bonded to the support chip in thermally separated relationship, circuit means diffused into each of the semiconductor elements including a resistive heating element and switch means for controlling current flow through the resistive heating element, an integrated circuit chip mounted on the support chip adjacent the matrix of semiconductor elements, the integrated circuit comprising a buffer stage for each semiconductor element the output of which is coupled to drive the base of the transistor switch means of the respective semiconductor elements, character generation means comprised of MOS transistors for decoding parallel binary character data and driving the buffer stages in a combination to graphically produce the character by heated elements of the matrix, at least a plurality of the MOS transistors being formed on a monolithic semiconductor chip, and supply voltage means for supplying power to the buffer stages and circuit means including means for sensing the temperature of the matrix and adjusting the supply voltage to a level such as to heat the selected mesas to a preselected temperature range.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-01-24 | 1975-07-26 | 1976-01-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-24 | 1979-07-26 | 1980-01-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-24 | 1983-07-26 | 1984-01-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |